1. www.postersession.com
Health Perceptions of Female Survivors of Domestic Violence
Heather Javaherian-Dysinger1, Shannon Corcoran2, Puja Gohel2, Lindsey Loftus2, Megan Meyer2,
Katie Puccio2, Janelle Uht2, Dragana Krpalek3
1Principal Investigator, 2Graduate Student, 3Faculty Advisor
DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
Domestic violence (DV), specifically intimate partner violence (IPV), is the
leading cause of non-fatal injuries among women in the United States.1
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,2 one in every
four women will experience IPV in their lifetime, negatively impacting many
factors of their lives, including their overall health and health perceptions.3-5
These women often feel stigmatized by health professionals, leading to
inconsistent health monitoring.6-9 Consequently, early detection of health
problems often does not occur with female survivors of IPV. Currently there is
little research exploring the overall health and health perceptions of women
who have survived IPV. The purpose of this retrospective study was to explore
the health perceptions of female survivors of IPV. This study contributes to the
field of occupational therapy by providing information about the roles,
motivations, and habits of those who have been in an IPV relationship, and
helping to uncover barriers and supports that impact their health.
Conclusion
* References available upon request
The health of survivors of IPV is a multifaceted phenomenon that requires an
inter-professional approach. DV organizations may benefit from the addition
of occupational therapy services to facilitate participation in valued roles,
meaningful routines, and independent lifestyle to enhance perceptions of
their health, well-being and life satisfaction.
Introduction Findings
Methods
Study Design
Phenomenological retrospective design
Participants
19 Female survivors of IPV receiving services from one of two DV shelters
(see Table 1 for participants’ demographics & Figure 1 for reported health
conditions)
Instruments & Data Collection
Semi-structured interviews ranging 30-90 minutes
Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP)
Data Analysis
Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded individually and as a group
Codes were narrowed into root and child codes using Dedoose©
Implications
• DV organizations may benefit from holistic health focused programming
based on the range of physical and psychosocial needs of the women
identified in this study.
• It is important to create a non-judgmental, safe environment to address the
women’s needs and alleviate stigmatization associated with health care.
• IPV survivors are at a pivotal point in their lives and with adequate support,
they may learn health management strategies to create healthy routines.
• Health care professionals need to acknowledge the life experiences of
survivors of IPV before, during, and after the domestic violence situation in
order to address the underlying issues at hand, not only the symptoms of
IPV.
• Occupational therapy practitioners have a role supporting women in making
healthy life transitions and promoting independence in managing daily
routines.
• The profession of occupational therapy needs to continue advocating for its
role in the mental health sector based on the findings of the needs for re-
establishing identity, building self-esteem, and developing healthy
relationships.
• Survivors of IPV can benefit from occupational therapy focusing on health
monitoring, stress management, social participation, mental functions,
leisure exploration, and adoption of healthy habits, roles, and routines.
Themes Quotes
It’s Complicated
Complexity of moving
forward and
understanding the deep
impact of past emotional
and physical abuse
“When I was with their dad I thought I was worthless and I wasn’t
nothing, and now that I left him…I feel like I’m finding myself little
by little. I feel like a whole new person but at the same time I feel
so stressed.”
- Maggie
Barriers & Stressors
Unaddressed mental
health diagnoses, lack of
support system, fear,
self-medicating,
inadequate finances,
unaware of resources,
weight gain
“I didn’t even know there were resources out there.”
- Ashley
“I never called the police. I never say anything. Why? Because I
was afraid. That instead of getting the help I was going to be the
one who’s going to have to suffer the consequences.”
- Tina
Daily Life & Routines
Unstable living
situation, lack of
routines, sleep, healthy
eating, coping skills
“I tried to, at first, stay with the routine but it was almost
impossible, so at one point I just found myself giving up.”
- Jennifer
“When you’re in a cycle, like you don’t think outside the box.”
- Melissa
Coping & Stress
Management
Strategies, both positive
and negative, utilized to
deal with effects of IPV
“I do that [drink] every day and if I’m in pain then I’ll take the pills
and go to sleep. If not, then I’ll just drink.”
- Kate
“I’m really depressed or really stressed or I’m really sad, but I still
know that people love me.”
- Jennifer
Change Talk
Self-efficacy and setting
goals for the future
“So I’ve neglected myself in every single way and, um… I can’t
continue that going into this new chapter.”
- Jennifer
“I’m not that weak person anymore. I build myself back up.”
- Kate
Variable
Normal
Range
M SD n (%)
Number of Children 2.8 ± 2.0
Systolic Blood Pressure < 120 133.0 ± 23.7
Diastolic Blood Pressure < 80 88.2 ± 22.7
BMI 33.0 ± 9.6
Underweight 16 - 18.5 1 (5)
Normal 18.5 - 25 4 (21)
Overweight 25 - 30 3 (16)
Obese 30+ 11 (58)
Unemployment 16 (84)
High School Education or Lower 13 (68)
Table 1. Participant's Demographics (N = 19)